1839 - Thorburn's Rant in Defense of China Tree Corn

Good grief !- I have begun to think Grant Thorburn was starting to loose his marbles!  Or he was a drinker who wrote in his cups...  

What an odd, rambling response to criticism of his China Prolific Tree Corn. 
Actually the letter is an ad that he got published for free!  This letter got published in many (dozen or more?) papers and journals as people waded in to the discussion.

One thing to come from this is I learned a new word...supaun.  Most regional names for common things (hint) show up enough in books and articles that it is hard to find a one you are unfamiliar with if you are a reader and of a sufficient number of decades. I'll post what I finally found about supaun in the next post.

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.

I think, Messrs. Printers, that we have had enough in all conscience of puffing and blowing about family Ravels, Tree play actors, men singers, and women singers, Italian fiddlers, and rope dancers, live elephants and monkeys. (By-the-by it is a very prevalent opinion at Cow Bay, Cow Neck, Oyster Bay and Hallet's Cove, that if all those drones were turned out to fell trees, grub up brush and hoe corn, we would not need to import peas-meal and rye-flour from Germany—things which feed the sense of sight only.) 



Now we, some of your clod-hopping subscribers, think ourselves entitled to half a column of your paper to speak of things which feed the taste, and give nourishment to the body corporate.

Mr Jefferson says the man who makes three blades of grass grow where only one grew before, is more the friend of man than he who conquers kingdoms.   I think if Mr J. had always preached such sound doctrine, he would have been the greatest philosopher of the age. 

Seeing, then, that this proposition about the grass is self-evident fact, what think you should 
be done to the man who makes three ears of corn grow where only one grew before inasmuch as grass feeds the horse, and corn the man?

 But to come to the point at once:
 Some three years ago a merchant in New York, while emptying a box of tea, observed therein a few grains of corn. Concluding that corn from China must be something new under our sun, he had them planted, so they grew and multiplied.    

Last spring, I received from a worthy friend, a portion of said corn—it’s a new variety—so I gave it the name of China's fall prolific, or tree corn; as it strikes off in two, three, and frequently four branches, in appearance like a small tree, and produces an ear at the head of each branch, whereas the common corn shoots out the ear from the side of the stalk; it grows from eight to ten feet high,  produces an abundance of fodder, and is a large white flint twelve rows long, and ears from ten to fourteen inches long. 

I counted six hundred and sixty grains on the ear;  it was planted on the 10th of May, and had ears fit to boil on the 10th of July.  Its produce was curtailed by the long drought, but notwithstanding I counted two thousand one hundred and twenty grains, the product of one stalk: being an increase of two thousand and one. 

The Dutton (which is an excellent corn) planted on the same day, on the same field, and received the same quantity of manure, cross ploughed and hoeing, did not produce one half. The patch about two hundred hills, was examined by many respectable farmers, who all pronounced it something new, and something superior.  

The corn may be had of G. C. Thorburn, New York, and at the store of Wm. Thorburn of Albany, price 25 cents per ear; the net profits to be given to some of the charitable institutions in New York and Albany. 

Now, if there is a farmer between Maine and the Rocky Mountains who would rather pay 25 cents for two gills of brandy, than to buy one ear of this corn, which will plant 100 hills —I say, if there is a man, he ought to be fed on nothing but supaun and buttermilk as long as his little soul and big carcass will hang together.   

A stalk, having the ears on, to show the manner of growth, may be seen at the above stores.   Every printer in Kings, Queens, Duchess, Orange, and Albany counties, who is fond of Jennie cake—(for if my informant speaks true, it took its name from a southern lass by the name of Jennie Dawson, who was famous for manufacturing this delicious article; but that at a meeting of the Bachelor's Club, Jennie was voted out and Johnny put in her place—I only hope that some of those chaps who were concerned in an affair so ungallant may never taste one of those new made cakes, when anointed with fresh butter)—will please insert as much of this long winded story as they see fit: and every printer who has children, who ere long may be orphans, will please insert the whole, and place it to the credit of the widow and the fatherless—he who is their Judge will register the thing in Heaven, as Uncle Toby says.

GRANT THORBURN. 

Hallet's Cove, Sept. 24, 1838.

REMARKs.—We have some of this corn for sale at the New England Farmer office, but as we know no more about it than what is contained in the above statement, every purchaser must take it on his own responsibility. J. B.

+++++++++++++++

The above amazing ad is from New England Farmer, Volume 17, 1839

1891 - Seedsman John Child's Colorful Vegies Litho

'Tis the season of harvest...and I sure wish mine looked like this!  It is the Marimekko of vegetables! 

I can't resist sampling the litho.  Just love those dots!

1576 - A Wonderful Book on Growing Hop Vines

Very readable, once your eyes get used to the typeface, this book deserves to be seen more!  I bought two hop plants the other year after seeing them used on an arbor at Old Sturbridge Village.  I'll get the arbor built someday!

The title is about a paragraph long - 

• A perfite platforme of a hoppe garden : and necessarie instructions for the making and mayntenaunce thereof : with notes and rules for reformation of all abuses, commonly practised therein, very necessarie and expedient for all men to haue, which in any wise haue to doe with hops / nowe newly corrected and augmented by Reynolde Scot.

Reginald Scot wrote it, and it looks like a relative may have updated it. I don't find any sons mentioned. Scot was an English country gentleman and Member of Parliament.

This fellow is pounding the mounded earth at the bottom outside of the poles.  The writer is careful to say not to pound where the plant roots go down.

Note the "larger image" link on the bottom of the Library of Congress digital image collection page. They have a clunky, older presentation of the book.  Great TIFF images are available though! But I doubt there is money for updating, so I am happy it is online!   Thank you, LOC.

1831 - 1898: A Seed Store's History - Albany, New York

I somehow became entangled in the story of a seed store as it traveled through time and the hands of many men.  It isn't that interesting!  I just got caught by the fact it changed hands so many times.

Grant Thorburn, the famous and loquacious seedsman, is the father of the store's first owner, William Thorburn, who set up as a seedsman in Albany, New York in 1831. 

This photo is one of many fine images of center Albany over the years at a Times Union slideshow. This is the corner of State and Pearl where the seed store was located, although this might not be their corner.
1831 - William Thorburn established the Albany Seed Store, located at Broadway.



To our friends in the West, on the banks of the Canal, in and about Albany. Twelve years ago, there came forth an host of Seedsmen, with Cobbett at their head, speaking great swelling words; they promised much— they performed nothing. For the accommodation of our customers as above, we intend, (nothing extra preventing), to open a Seed, Plant, and Flower Root Store, at No. 347 North Market street, on the 6th day of April next, opposite the building into which the Post office is to remove on or before the first of May, within a few doors of the Museum, and within pistol shot of the five banks. The business in Albany will be conducted by one of my sons, and the store supplied with the same goods, and at the same prices at which we sell in New York. As we derive our supplies more or less from every quarter of the globe, we think it will be a facility to the agriculturalist, as well as profitable to the concerned. From a planting of fifteen dollars, the present state of our establishment will show what good seeds, good soil and good cultivation will produce. If they will keep pace with the ability, and Providence smiles on the undertaking, I see nothing to prevent its arriving in a few years to the same extensive footing in Albany as the mother store in New York; for, while the rich in our city purchase the flowers and the blossoms, and the rivers and the ocean carry our seeds to every clime, so in Albany the taste wants only food, and riches are already there in abundance; while the canal conveys the seed to the Lake Superior, the great Western Road will transport them far towards the setting sun.— Nothing that good Seeds and attention to business can perform will be wanting on our part to meet the public expectation.        G. THORBURN & SONS.

1860 - William Thorburn is still running the store in 1860 as this article  from then mentions him.

1867 - Samuel T. Thorburn seems to have taken over. Son of William.  All I know is that in 1860 Samuel was working for his father.


1854 - both Thorburn and Douw were in business, separately (page references both)

1868 - Strong & Douw Co.       I can't find anything about Mr. Strong, perhaps he was a money partner, not an established seedsman or grower of any sort.

1870 - V. P. Douw & Co., at 80 State Street, was established upon the retirement of Mr.

            Strong and the addition of Mr. Price, AND the purchase of the Thorburn Albany Seed

            Store. (1871 - William Thorburn dies while visiting Maryland)

NOTICE.—The co-partnership heretofore existing between CHARLES H. STRONG and VOLCKERT. P. DOUW, under the firm name of Strong & Douw, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. 

V. P. Douw assumes the business and will sign in liquidation.

CHARLES H. STRONG,
Albany, Jan. 1st, 1870. VOLCKERT. P. DOUW


NOTICE.-Having this day sold the business, stock and fixtures of Thorburn's Albany Seed Store to Mr. V. P. Douw, and made an engagement with him as Seedsman, I take this opportunity of thanking my old customers for their past patronage, and of soliciting a continuance of the same to my successor, 

Albany, Jan. 26th, 1870. SAMUEL T. THORBURN.


Albany, Jan. 26th, 1870.
Having purchased the entire interest of my late partner in the Agricultural Warehouse of Strong & Douw, and also the entire stock, fixtures and business of Thorburn's Old Albany Seed Store, and secured the services of the experienced Seedsman, Mr. Samuel T. Thorburn, so long and favorably known to the farmers and gardeners of this vicinity; I shall continue the business of both establishments at the old stand, No. 82 State Street, where can be found a full stock of all the latest improved Agricultural Implements and Machinery, Garden Tools of every description, a full assortment of Horticultural Goods, and every variety of Flowers and Vegetable Seeds, wholesale and retail.  V. P. DOUW - SEEDS AND PLANTS.

1876 - Price & Knickerbocker  was formed upon the death of Mr. Duow and the addition of                 Mr. Knickerbocker

1885 - Price & Reed was formed as Mr. Knickerbocker retired and Mr. Reed joined. They

            claim establishment back to 1831 (Thorburn) in their catalog.

Catalog

1898 - Mr Reed retired and Mr Price continued alone until his death in 1918.

Some articles I got dates from are below.  They don't always agree.

Price & Reed, Successors to Price & Knickerbocker, Seedsmen, Plants, Agricultural Implements, etc., Nos. 516 and 518 Broadway. 

—Fifty-seven years of unbroken prosperity sums up in brief the history of the widely known and responsible house of Price & Reed, (successors to Price & Knickerbocker), seedsmen, and dealers in agricultural implements, garden tools, etc. It is one of the oldest and leading establishments devoted to this important branch of commercial activity in Albany, while its business connection is of a most substantial character.  

The house was founded in 1831 by Wm. Thorburn, who was succeeded by Strong & Douw, the style subsequently changing to V. P. Douw & Co. (of which Mr. Price, the present senior member, was the junior partner), they conducting the concern up to 1875, when the style became Price & Knickerbocker, who were in turn succeeded about one year ago by the enterprising and popular firm whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and by whom the business has since been continued with uninterrupted success. 

They occupy a four story 30' x 100' foot building, and carry constantly on hand a heavy and first-class stock, comprising field, garden and grass seeds of every variety, plants, bulbs, etc,; also a large assortment of agricultural implements, garden tools, lawn mowers and kindred articles, and the trade of the firm, which is both of a wholesale and retail character, extends throughout New York State, New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and adjacent states, with a fine local patronage. 

Mr. George H. Price, who is a gentleman of forty, was born at Boston, Mass., and Mr. E. T. Reed, who is a young man of about twenty-nine, is a native of Albany. They are both men of sterling qualities, as well as energy, sagacity and excellent business ability, and sustain an A1 reputation in commercial life.

The above from The Empire State: Its Industries and Wealth, 1888

========

from 

Bi-centennial History of Albany: History of the County of Albany 1886

SEED STORES
William Thorburn established a seed store at the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane in 1831, which he continued until 1868, when he sold out to V. P. Douw & Co. 

The firm of Price & Knickerbocker bought out the business in 1875, and have since conducted it at No. 80 State street. When first established the trade was merely local, but under the present proprietors it has grown to large proportions, and extends not only all over the United States, but to foreign countries. Both a wholesale and retail trade is carried on. The individual members are G. H. Price and David M. Knickerbocker. Over 3,000 varieties of seed are carried in stock.

=======

American Florist, Volume 50, 1918

New York state has lost one of its oldest seedsmen in the death of George H. Price which occurred on March 20 at his home, 543 Clinton avenue, Albany, after an illness of two weeks. The deceased was born in Boston 76 years ago of Puritan stock. He was educated in private schools and in the Frank D. Sanborn academy at Concord, Mass.


He then entered the employ of Joel Nourse & Company, seed merchants, Boston, and remained with the concern for five years. In 1868 he removed to Albany to become manager of the seed store of Strong & Douw. In 1870, Mr. Strong retired and Mr. Price became a partner of the concern under the style of V. P. Douw & Company. Mr. Douw died in 1876 and Mr. Price took as partner D. M. Knickerbocker and the concern was known as Price & Knickerbocker. In 1885 Mr. Knickerbocker retired and Edward T. Reed was admitted to the firm under the title of Price & Reed. The latter retired in 1898 and George H. Price then conducted the business alone until his death. ...
========

1765 - Bug-winged Naked Guys in John Adams' Book

This was John Adams' gardening book.  He owned it, touched it, read it (I assume).  
I wonder if he was amused by the two goofy putti.  Funny little bug wings.  

And then there are two grown bug-winged guys!!  I had to look that one up.  As far as I can tell putto did not grow up...so what are these dudes?   It is a charming and fun engraving.

Philip Miller's  The gardeners kalendar : directing what works are necessary to be performed every month in the kitchen, fruit, and pleasure-gardens, as also in the conservatory and nursery: Shewing I. The particular seasons for propagating all sorts of esculent plants and fruits, with the time when each sort is proper for the table. II. The proper seasons for transplanting all sorts of trees, shrubs, and plants, with the time of their flowering /

Edition: The fourteenth edition, with a list of the medicinal plants, which may be gathered for use each month. To which is prefixed a short introduction to the science of botany, illustrated with copper plate


Publication info: London: Printed for the author, and sold by John Rivington ..., H. Woodfall ...,1765.
Holding Institution: John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library (archive.org)

1858 - Seedsman James J. H. Gregory Tells the Story of the Hubbard Squash

From the horse's mouth...

LOC -VT barn

From 1858 - The Magazine of Horticulture, Botany, and All Useful Discoveries ...

...We have received a letter, more in detail, from Mr. Gregory, and append it to this report:—

Marblehead, Mass., Dec. 23d, 1857. Daniel T. Curtis, Chairman of Vegetable Com. of Mass. Hort. Soc.

Dear Sir,
Of the origin of the Hubbard squash we have no certain knowledge. The facts relative to its cultivation, in Marblehead, are simply these. Upwards of twenty years ago, a single specimen was brought into town, the seed from which was planted in the garden of a lady, now deceased; a specimen from this yield was given to Capt. Knott Martin, of this town, who raised it for family use a few years, when it was brought to our notice in the year 1842 or '43. We were first informed of its good qualities by Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard, a very worthy lady, through whom we obtained seed from Capt. Martin. As the squash up to this time had no specific name to designate it from other varieties, my father termed it the "Hubbard Squash."

Up to the year 1855 the raising of this squash was confined to ourselves and a few neighbors, who raised little if any more than was sufficient to supply their respective families. I should, however, make the exception, that from the year 1847, I had occasionally, when traveling, taken a few seeds with me, and had distributed them among the farmers with whom I chanced to come in contact .

In the year 1855 a correspondent of the New England Farmer desired, through its columns, to have recommended to him a good winter squash. It occurred to me that here was an excellent opportunity to give a squash, which had given us such great satisfaction, a wider sphere of usefulness. I accordingly replied to the gentleman, enclosing seed of the Hubbard squash, and requested him, as a stranger to me and therefore presumptively an unbiassed judge of its merits, to make public the result of his experiment. In April of the following year he published the result of his planting in the columns of the New England Farmer, so highly eulogizing its quality and keeping properties that it was at once brought into notice. Many applications now reached me for seed, and as it became necessary to give some name, I determined to make Hubbard, (which up to this date had been used as merely a convenient term) its permanent name.

LOC - Connecticut

These are all the facts which are known relative to the history of the Hubbard squash, though it is possible that from a person not now accessible, I may be enabled to trace its history a step further.

In shape the Hubbard resembles the Marrow (or Boston squash, as it is called in some localities,) but it has rather more of a neck than the Marrow, and terminates more abruptly in a point, usually curved. In weight, it ranges from four to twenty-four pounds; but averages about the same as the Marrow, viz., from five to eight pounds. Its color is a dark green, with a dash of a dusty hue on the upper surface of the ripest specimens. There is also a hard shelled blue variety, which in quality, size, &c., is about on a par with the Hubbard, and we have considered it as equally desirable. The Hubbard has generally, when fully ripe, a thick shell, somewhat thicker than a cent, though some specimens, which have otherwise all the characteristics, are destitute of a shell.

The Hubbard squash, with the same care as the Marrow, keeps about three months later, being in its prime from November until March or April, and keeping into May. During the period we have cultivated it, the Hubbard has fully maintained its character, and is equally as good in quality now as in the years 1842 or '43. So strong is its individuality, that when so mixed and crossed with other squashes, that not a trace of it can be seen in the form or color of the cross, yet its quality will be so impressed on them that these squashes will almost uniformly be as fine grained, sweet and dry as the pure Hubbard, though they will not keep and maintain their quality so late.

In all our experience we have never lost a crop or had it seriously affected from want of hardiness; though it is possible that the Hubbard is slightly more tender than the Marrow. To determine this will require a close comparison; but we have always considered it equally hardy as the Marrow.

Under high cultivation the Hubbard has yielded the past season, in one instance, 700 pounds of ripe squashes from 16 hills; and planted on a larger scale, nearly 5500 pounds of good market squashes on half an acre of land, equal to five and a half tons to the acre. Compared with the Marrow, the Hubbard will be found to be thicker meated, better flavored, (good specimens tasting much like a boiled chestnut,) finer grained, dryer and sweeter, besides being a better keeper; and from its thick shell less liable to be injured in handling. 

Yours,                         
 James J. H. Gregory

LOC image

This image is near South Windsor, CT around 1941.  

Personally, I like the Blue Hubbard...and they should be huge.  None of this little squash stuff.  They should make a few pies and a couple meals!

1899 - Squash #7 Needs a Name Contest by James Gregory, Seedsman

James J. H. Gregory, Seedsman, had an idea that would sell a new squash -  a naming contest.   His lush lithograph of the nameless squash is wonderful!  And, I could not find out the name chosen as I couldn't find a 1900 catalog, or any ads mentioning it.  *sigh*

If you ever find out what he names it, please write in!  I have looked and looked to no avail.  I have to stop and move on or go nuts!!!!

One Hundred Dollars in Gold 

for a Name for Our New Squash No. 7. 

See Lithograph on Back Cover.

After the practice of our fellow seedsmen we make this offer, the conditions being simply that it be confined to those who purchase its seed directly from us, every package purchased giving right to purchasers to suggest a name, as many names as they purchase packages. 

 A blank will be attached to seed label, to contain the full address of each purchaser, and the name suggested for squash now known as No. 7.    

Competitions will be open until the first of October, when all the names will be submitted to a board of three reliable men, and by them the selection be made. 

If more than one shall have proposed the name selected, the award will be equally divided among them. 

This new squash is the production of Mr. Low, to whom the public are indebted for the well-known Essex Hybrid and Bay State Squashes. We have purchased the ownership of him. It is an accidental cross between the Bay State and Marrow Squash. 

Mr. Low isolated this cross and by years of care has succeeded in bringing it out distinctly, a new variety of squash with about as few sports in it as are to be found in our standard squashes. 

Mr. Low thus describes it: "This was a cross, some four years ago, of the Bay State and Boston Marrow. In form the same as the last named, with stem and blossom end precisely like that variety, also having that peculiar wrinkled appearance of the skin, like the Boston Marrow. 

Size, averaging from eight to ten pounds; color, a dark, grayish green; flesh, an exceedingly bright golden yellow; fine grained, very sweet, and of delicious flavor. Early in maturing, a good keeper, and yielding largely of squashes of very uniform size and appearance. 

As a squash, combining the qualities desired for the table and pies, this has no superior. Specimens grown in 1897 were kept until June, 1898."

Mr. M. B. Faxon, who introduced to the public the famous " Faxon Squash," thus writes of this new variety:

Boston, November 21, 1898.
It is with great pleasure that I write you a few lines in regard to your new squash. I have closely watched the development, and tested this squash for two years, and I feel sure it is a most desirable new vegetable. For quality it is all that can be desired — dry, fine grained, and sweet. A good
cropper and splendid keeper; in fact, I may say that, both as a table squash and for pies, it will, in my opinion, at once become a great favorite.

M. B. FAXON.

Just noting here that Mr. Low mentioned above was Aaron Low of Essex Massachusetts.

From American Gardening  - 1887

Squash,"Bay State"——Aaron Low, Essex, Mass—The points of excellence of this new squash are solidity, heavy weight, fineness and dryness of grain and sweetness of flavor. The shell is of a green color and extremely hard, giving assurance of being an excellent keeper. The flesh is of a bright golden yellow